Baptism Of Fire

HER LAST BREATH

SLOANE'S POINT OF VIEW

The tickling sound of the wall clock sounds like bomb waiting to explode. The atmosphere was heavy enough to make me exhale foggy breath. Every passing seconds feels so suffocating.

"Who among you want to get killed next?" Summer asked with a teasing grin.

My gaze narrowed. "Stop toying with us."

The woman's grin widened. "If you say so. I want to cut that sharp tongue of yours but I don't have any business with you."

I raised my head when I saw Aeron's shadow casted on the ground. I look at him. "What? Are you going to kill me now?" I asked scornfully, a cocky smile is plastered between my lips.

"In which way you want me to kill you? Do you want to die a slow and painful death.." I stiffened when he runs a knife on my throat. "or do you want me to end your suffering right away?" He then pointed a gun right on my nape.

I swallowed hard. No matter how much I tried to hide it, I'm afraid. I don't want to die yet, I have a lot of things to do, goals to achieve and dreams to reach.

I close my eyes as the piteous and crying image of Astreia flashed in my mind. I had long forgotten those memories, I live normally and tried not to be bothered by the nightmares caused by the woman we killed.

I still remember that night, but I don't exactly remember how and why did I do that.

                                 •••••

FLASHBACK

"Tonight, I will make sure that she will regret coming back. I will shatter the woman who destroyed our family through her daughter," Amber said dangerously, her gaze was settled on the darkness looming ahead of them.

We are currently on Evan's family rest house.

"What exactly are you planning, Amber?" Ethan asked.

I frowned when I saw how Amber's face blanched.

"Y-You will know when Asher succeeds on doing his part of the plan," she responded.

I wasn't convinced. I feel like something is really wrong, that Amber will go beyond the line.

"Here guys, drink and loosen up. You all seemed anxious," Amber said with a light chuckle. She handed us the glasses of liquors.

I shook my head and throw away all those suspicion and unwanted thoughts.

Amber's phone suddenly rings. "Yes, Asher?" A smile made its way on her lips. "Good." She ended the call and looks back at them. "Get ready, the main event was about to start."

Not so long after, Carter, Grayson, Asher and Crimson, one of our friend from a different section, came. They are carrying Astreia's unconscious body.

My forehead creased. I stand up from mh seat but I felt an odd feeling coursing through my body. I only drank a couple of glasses and I have a high alcohol tolerance, that's why I can't understand why my vision is getting blurry. Most of all, I feel so strangely hot, I want to do something to release the heat I'm feeling, to satiate the sudden desire of my body.

That's the last thing I remember before the horrendous crime took place.

                                 •••••

"What now, Sloane?"

Aeron's furious voice heaved me off of my trance. I sighed.

I know that I was a jerk towards Astreia for conspiring with Amber to retaliate against her, with the notion that she really destroyed my friend's life. But I never wanted to kill her. I might be a bastard, but I'm not that heartless to commit such heinous crime.